Defender Frickson Erazo opened the scoring for Ecuador in the 80th minute in Buenos Aires.
Photograph: David Fernandez/EPA

Two goals in two minutes gave Ecuador a shock 2-0 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires on Thursday as the Andean side got off to a flying start in their bid to reach the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.

Frickson Erazo headed home the first goal after 80 minutes and Felipe Caicedo doubled their lead when he finished off a quick counterattack only a minute later.

Argentina, who were without the injured Lionel Messi, could not find the net despite having 12 shots to Ecuador’s eight and dominating possession.

“We were impatient,” said the Argentina defender Lucas Biglia. “And of course we missed Messi.”

Ecuador, who have qualified for the finals on only three occasions, troubled Argentina out wide the entire game and the home side could not impose themselves on a team 30 places below them in the Fifa rankings.

To compound Argentina’s misery, Sergio Agüero limped off midway through the first half clutching his left leg and looks likely to miss their next game, away to Paraguay next Tuesday. The Manchester City striker had an injury concern before the game but was ruled fit to play.